Vendor‐supplied usage data for electronic resources: a survey of academic libraries

A survey was sent to research libraries in the United States and Canada to learn about the level of effort involved in working with vendors' usage reports, how the data are used, and which data are most useful to librarians in managing electronic resources. Ninety‐two responses were received and analyzed. Lack of standards and inconsistencies in the usage data were identified as issues in effectively preparing the data for further analysis. In fact, the results showed that more time was spent acquiring, reformatting, and manipulating the data than on actually analyzing them. The number of full‐text downloads was specified as the most useful statistic for assessing the use of electronic resources.     

Toward an understanding of higher-order thinking among minority students

Recent investigations have established the importance of higher-order thinking in the acquisition and application of learning skills in diverse domains of inquiry. Such findings have implications for enhancing the quality of thinking of all children but have particular significance for those minority students who historically have not performed as well as their more economically advantaged peers. Although much has been written about the construct, research is still needed to identify the specific processes underlying higher-order thinking and to examine its use among minority populations. A principal-factors extraction with varimax rotation analysis was used in the present study to clarify the nature and function of higher-order thinking among minority students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The results allowed for a specification of the mental processes associated with the construct and the extent to which students reported an awareness and use of these processes in academic problem-solving situations.     

The effects of 4 weeks normobaric hypoxia training on microvascular responses in the forearm flexor

Intermittent exposure to hypoxia can lead to improved endurance performance. Currently, it is unclear whether peripheral adaptions play a role in improving oxygen delivery and utilization following both training and detraining. This study aimed to characterize skeletal muscle blood flow (mBF), oxygen consumption (mV?O₂), and perfusion adaptations to i) 4-weeks handgrip training in hypoxic and normoxic conditions, and ii) following 4-weeks detraining. Using a randomised crossover design, 9 males completed 30-min handgrip training four times a week in hypoxic (14% FiO₂ ~ 3250m altitude) and normoxic conditions. mBF, mV?O₂ and perfusion were assessed pre, post 4-weeks training, and following 4-weeks detraining. Hierarchical linear modelling found that mV?O₂ increased at a significantly faster rate (58%) with hypoxic training (0.09 mlO₂·min^?1 · 100g^?1 per week); perfusion increased at a significantly (69%) faster rate with hypoxic training (3.72 μM per week). mBF did not significantly change for the normoxic condition, but there was a significant increase of 0.38 ml· min^?1 · 100ml^?1 per week (95% CI: 0.35, 0.40) for the hypoxic condition. During 4-weeks detraining, mV?O₂ and perfusion significantly declined at similar rates for both conditions, whereas mBF decreased significantly faster following hypoxic training. Four weeks hypoxic training increases the delivery and utilisation of oxygen in the periphery.     

Self-reported ability assessment in rock climbing

Level of ability within rock climbing is generally expressed in terms of a "best ascent", rated using various grading systems within the sport. The most common method of obtaining this information is via self-report. The aim of this study was to examine the validity of self-reported climbing grades. Twenty-nine competitive rock climbers (17 males, 12 females) were first asked to report their current (defined as within the last 12 months) best on-sight lead ascent grade (Aus/NZ). The participants then climbed a specifically designed indoor route, under on-sight conditions (one attempt, no route practice or preview), to obtain an assessed grade. The route increased in difficulty, and was such that the distance achieved by the climber corresponded to a particular grade. The mean (±standard deviation) self-reported and assessed grade was 22.6?±?3.4 and 22.0?±?3.0 (Aus/NZ) respectively. Despite slight over- and underestimations in males and females respectively, there was no statistically significant difference between self-reported and assessed on-sight climbing grades. The results of this study suggest that self-reported climbing grades provide a valid and accurate reflection of climbing ability.